FLNDRS Bar & Nightclub fined by Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation for unacceptable promotions

A Townsville nightclub has been fined thousands of dollars for running “unacceptable” promotions such as ‘Ballin’ on a Budget’ that saw one patron drink 13 drinks in two hours.

FLNDRS Bar & Nightclub in the Townsville nightclub precinct. Picture: Google Maps

A Townsville nightclub has been slapped with a $5000 fine for running “unacceptable” promotions encouraging fast-paced drinking.

The licensee will also pay more than $2600 in court costs.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation completed an investigation that found FLNDRS Bar & Nightclub breached regulations through its promotions called ‘Turn up Tuesday’ and ‘Ballin’ on a Budget’.

The regulator says these promotions, which ran four days a week, encouraged rapid intoxication by allowing patrons to pay between $20 and $30 to receive a wristband and plastic cup, which allowed them to refill with unlimited basic spirits for an hour.

OLGR said this encouraged patrons to drink excessively, and that there was CCTV evidence of one patron who bought the promotion twice back-to-back, having consumed 13 standard drinks across the two hours.

The investigation concluded that there were not sufficient harm minimalisation measures, with minimal supervision and no limits enforced on the amount of alcohol consumed by patrons involved in the promotions.

Commissioner for Liquor and Gaming Victoria Thomson said the regulator did support venues that used promotions to increase business, as long as licensees did not risk patron and community safety.

“Any promotion that could encourage people to drink more than they normally would is a concern,” she said.

“Queensland’s responsible service of alcohol laws exist to ensure alcohol is supplied and promoted in ways that minimise harm and support patron and community safety around licensed venues.

“That’s why we’re always on the lookout for any practices that could encourage rapid or excessive alcohol consumption.

“We will always try to work with venues using education first and foremost to ensure they’re well equipped to comply with our laws, but when Queenslanders’ safety is placed in jeopardy like on this occasion, we won’t hesitate to take the necessary enforcement action.”

OLGR became aware of the promotions while undertaking routine compliance inspections.

Originally published as FLNDRS Bar & Nightclub fined by Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation for unacceptable promotions